Scooby-Doo! and the Spooky Swamp

If you’ve come to Scooby-Doo! And the Spooky Swamp then you must be looking for some cartoon hijinks. Released in September 2010, this classic game provides a delightful amount of content for the discerning mystery solver. If you’re a big fan of Scooby-Doo, Puzzle/Mystery games or just want a pleasant way to pass time, this may be the game for you.

Gameplay

The gameplay of this title is surprisingly diverse. There’s a lot to it with multiple characters, mechanics and puzzles all throughout. Primarily a third-person game with a few action elements, primary objective is to solve mysteries but this function comes in various forms. With light puzzle elements that allow for platforming. It follows on from the Scooby Doo! First Frights Game.

The combat mechanics are pretty simple but I did appreciate that everyone is a little different I.e., Scooby uses a string of sausages as nunchaku, Shaggy uses a slingshot as Velma uses books as ranged weapons. It provides a satisfying difference between. These abilities extend to world exploration as well, as some have abilities that others do not I.e., Fred can move heavy objects and Shaggy can swing from place to place.

A huge part of the game are the collectibles. There are scooby snacks, collar medallions, costumes and so, so much more. If you’re looking to 100% this game then you will be playing for at least six or seven hours. Also, something I really enjoyed was the ability to use cheat codes. It may not seem like much but they add a certain nostalgia and some replay value to the classic game.

Art Style

Throughout the game, there are a lot of characters and locations to discover. Much of the art style is done in a very cartoony and disproportionate style, characters heads are big and hyper expressive and movement is fluid but a little over the top. It’s unlike other, older games in the franchise like Scooby Doo! Phantom of the Knight, which used the classic show animation techniques. This appeals to a younger audience and so many who did not grow up with the original shows may find this a little more palatable.

It’s not just with the player characters, there is also a great amount of attention placed to non-player characters. From big, cowboy skeletons to luchadores and more, the game manages to keep itself fresh and interesting.

Multiplayer

Yes, before you panic, there IS multiplayer cooperation. Have a friend tag in the pair of you can get cracking on solving puzzles. Unfortunately, this does require a screen share no one can go where the other won't allow, but if you work as a team then there shouldn’t be a problem.

Pros:

• Responsive controls
• Interesting art style
• Lots of content

Cons:

• A bit too easy